Training Talk - April 2005 - Issue 16

In August 2004, Dr Nelson, Minister for Education Science and Training announced the Minister’s Award for Excellence in NAC Administration in recognition of the significant contribution to New Apprenticeships Support Services by past AMANAC General Manager, the late Mr Jeff Styles.  Mr Styles was presented with the inaugural Award in October 2004.

This Award has been established by the Department of Education, Science and Training to recognise the outstanding achievements of an individual working for a NAC.  This person will have consistently demonstrated and maintained outstanding practices working with New Apprenticeships.

This award is through peer nomination and must be completed by a work/industry/professional colleague who may be from, but not limited to, a NAC, a State Training Authority, a Registered Training Organisation, an employer etc.  The form must also be endorsed by a work/industry/professional colleague who is also prepared to be a referee to substantiate the claims in the form.

Nomination form and guidelines are available at http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/ministers_awards/default.asp    

Nominations close: 13 May 2005.

Further enquiries: Wendy McDowell – 02 6240 5930 or wendy.mcdowell@dest.gov.au

The Australian Government, through the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), is seeking feedback from interested parties, including industry groups, employers, New Apprentices, parents, schools, Area Consultative Committees, Local Community Partnerships and the general public, on a Discussion Paper relating to New Apprenticeships Support Services.  The Discussion Paper was released on 16 April. * Please note that a separate process will be undertaken for the Northern Territory.

The Australian Government currently contracts 37 organisations, known as New Apprenticeships Centres, to deliver New Apprenticeships Support Services in 22 regions across Australia.  The current contract expires on 30 June 2006, and DEST is seeking feedback prior to a new contract commencing. 

All interested parties are encouraged to read the Discussion Paper and provide feedback on the issues raised by 13 May 2005.

The New Apprenticeships Support Services Discussion Paper is available on the New Apprenticeships Website http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/nass/nass4/index.asp     or by phoning the New Apprenticeships Client Support Line on: 1300 367 847.

As we approach 1 July, the date when the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) takes on the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) functions, a number of key milestones have been achieved.

Consultations on the Directions Paper “Skilling Australia – New Directions for Vocational Education and Training” are now completed.  A paper summarising the outcomes of the consultation process has been prepared and is available on the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) website.

The ANTA Ministerial Council met on Friday 15 April to consider a paper on the national training system.  Ministers agreed to an officials group working collaboratively to negotiate the new national training system arrangements for presentation to Ministers at the next Ministerial Council meeting which is planned for late May or early June.

Dr Nelson has sent a formal offer for the Commonwealth State Training Funding Agreement 2005 - 2008 to State and Territory Training Ministers on 30 March 2005.  The Commonwealth’s offer was also discussed at the ANTA Ministerial Council. Senior officials will now work through the detail of the Commonwealth’s offer and facilitate the negotiation of the new Training Funding Agreement with a view to having an Agreement in place by 1 July 2005.

ANTA and DEST staff continue to work closely to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible for clients.  The transfer of knowledge from ANTA to DEST commences this month and is expected to continue until June. Both agencies have detailed project and risk assessment plans in place to manage the process.

If you want more information on the progress of the transition to the New Training System, visit the DEST website www.dest.gov.au, the ANTA website www.anta.gov.au, read the next edition of Training Talk or subscribe to Fast Facts ANTA’s fortnightly newsletter via its website.

The National Careers and Employment Expos, facilitated by EOC (Employer of Choice) Consulting Asia Pacific, are a series of two-day expositions held in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane (three days), Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra which started in 1999 and are supported by Federal and State Governments.

In 2004 close to 100,000 people from across Australia attended the community-spirited Expos, which are free for all visitors.

The Expo offers job seekers, school leavers, TAFE, university students and graduates an invaluable opportunity to seek free advice, meet face-to-face with potential employers, research career development and education options and discover employment opportunities.

It also provides an opportunity for organisations to market their employer brand, profile their corporate vision and communicate one-on-one with potential job seekers.

Expo Details 2005

On 30 March the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, Gary Hardgrave, announced the release of the Request for Proposal to establish and operate Australian Technical Colleges in 24 regions throughout Australia at an investment by the Australian Government of $343.6 million over the next five years.

Mr Hardgrave said the Request for Proposal process was the next step in establishing the Australian Technical Colleges as one measure of the Australian Government’s continuing response to addressing the current skills needs. The Colleges are a positive nation-building initiative to strengthen vocational education throughout Australia.

“The reason for establishing these Colleges is simple – we want to get more young Australians into traditional trades and we want to provide them with that choice in Years 11 and 12. We also want to ensure that a trade qualification is as valued as any gained at university" said Mr Hardgrave.

“The Expressions of Interest period which closed on 18 February, highlighted strong community support for the Colleges, with more than 160 expressions received from organisations including local government, employers and business, employer and industry associations, education and training providers and community groups.

“This response demonstrates the enthusiasm in these communities for a high quality and fresh new approach to address skills needs in both metropolitan and regional Australia. Communities, industry and business have recognised the key component of the Colleges which is that local industry and community representatives will be taking a leading role in the governance of each of the Colleges.

“Importantly, Australian Technical Colleges will offer performance pay to teachers and will be required to offer the option of an Australian Workplace Agreement to all staff in accordance with the Workplace Relations Act 1996. Colleges will also need to ensure that staff maintain relevant, up-to-date industry skills and experience.

“Students will undertake a School-based New Apprenticeship leading to a nationally recognised vocational education and training qualification. At the same time they will also complete the academic subjects required for their Year 12 certificate.

“Proposals are sought from suitably qualified and experienced organisations that demonstrate the involvement of local business, industry, education and training providers, parents and the general community. I would encourage anybody interested in being part of the establishment of the Colleges to submit a formal proposal to my Department.

“Some of the Colleges will be up and running by the start of the 2006 school year, with all 24 colleges opening their doors by no later than 2008.

“The Australian Government has committed an additional $1.06 billion over the next four years to a number of initiatives to address skills shortages,” Mr Hardgrave said.

Further information on this initiative, including the Request for Proposal documentation is available at: http://www.australiantechnicalcolleges.gov.au/   .The closing date for proposals is Friday 20 May 2005.

On 17 March 2005, the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, Gary Hardgrave, introduced the Social Security Amendment (Extension of Youth Allowance and Austudy eligibility to New Apprentices) Bill 2005 to Parliament.

Mr Hardgrave said the Bill delivers on the Howard Government’s election commitment to extend eligibility to Youth Allowance and Austudy payments to full-time New Apprentices.

“This important Bill will provide payments worth $383.2 million over the next three years as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to further expand our skilled workforce, address skills needs and encourage people to participate in New Apprenticeships,” Mr Hardgrave said.

Part-time and School-Based New Apprentices have already been able to qualify for Youth Allowance, but for the first time full-time apprentices and trainees participating under the New Apprentices scheme will be able to access Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY payments. This will help ease the financial burden faced in the initial years of their training.

“The Government anticipates this measure will improve New Apprenticeship retention, particularly in the early years, and could potentially benefit up to 93,000 Australians over the next three years” Mr Hardgrave said.

The initiative will target New Apprentices on low incomes, generally in the early stages of their apprenticeships when their incomes are at their lowest. Claimants will be subject to the same parental, personal and partner means testing arrangements as currently apply under the payments.

“New Apprentices are vital to our continued economic competitiveness, performance and growth. In the 2004/05 financial year, the Australian Government is spending $738 million on New Apprenticeships as part of its recurrent funding of $2.1 billion,” Mr Hardgrave said.

A report released recently by Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, Gary Hardgrave, shows that the Australian Government’s New Apprenticeships system has been very successful in increasing the number of people in structured training in Australia’s workforce.

Mr Hardgrave said the report, which has recently been completed, reinforces the success of the programme in creating new and more flexible training opportunities. He said the benefit of a New Apprenticeship is clear with more than nine in ten New Apprentices gaining secure and ongoing employment.

“The report “Skills for Work” – an evaluation of New Apprenticeships is based on research conducted over more than a year. The report involves the analysis of already available reports, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and several additional surveys of New Apprentices and employers from across Australia,” Mr Hardgrave said.

“The evaluation highlighted that the New Apprenticeships system is highly responsive and relevant to industry needs. It also showed that Government financial incentives provided to employers taking on New Apprentices, are highly effective in boosting training opportunities, particularly in areas of skills shortages.”

Currently there are almost 394,000 people in a New Apprenticeship (this represents four percent of the workforce), an increase of almost 200,000 people since 1998.

New Apprenticeships are now available for over 500 occupations, with almost a quarter of these on a part-time basis. A growing number of School-Based New Apprenticeships are also being undertaken by our students. However, because of state industrial relations laws there are nowhere near enough School-Based New Apprenticeships in key industry skills sectors.

“While this report shows the New Apprenticeship scheme successfully provides an accessible and flexible path to satisfying careers for the 70 per cent of young Australians who do not go straight from school to university there is much more to do.

“New Apprenticeships have also provided significant opportunities for older Australians to participate in training, often experiencing structured training for the first time, with one in five aged forty and above.

 “Skills for Work” – both the full and summary report are available at:

http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/whats_new/default.asp  

In 2003, the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) Board decided to take a new approach to exchanging advice and information with industry to support a future-oriented focus on wealth creating and evolving industries.

Under the new approach, a new communication channel with industry was created through the establishment of 10 new 'Industry Skills Councils' which have progressively replaced the existing industry advisory bodies.

The Industry Skills Councils have two key roles:

• providing accurate industry intelligence to the Vocational Education and Training sector about current and future skill needs and training requirements, and
• upporting the development, implementation and continuous improvement of quality nationally recognised training products and services, including Training Packages.

Nine of the councils have been declared:

• Services Industry Skills Council
• Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council 
• Resources and Infrastructure Industry Skills Council 
• ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities Industry Skills Council 
• Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council 
• Agri-Food Industry Skills Council 
• Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council 
• Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council, and 
• Manufacturing Industry Skills Council.

Government is the remaining Industry Skills Council under negotiation.

Proposed Roles of the Industry Skills Councils

The Australian Government Minister will assume responsibility for Industry Skills Councils and the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) will take on the management of their operations.  Clear, measurable performance indicators will be included in their contracts, and Industry Skills Councils will be evaluated against these in 12 months time. 

Industry Skills Councils will maintain their current roles and responsibilities in the development and review of Training Packages.  It is expected that over the next 12 months Industry Skills Councils will be able to demonstrate:

• progress against the Training Package priority areas identified above, particularly the rationalisation of the number of Training Packages, incorporation of employability skills, and development of cross-industry competencies;
• strong engagement with small, medium and large enterprises and State advisory bodies where these exist;
• formal consultative mechanisms with training providers and equity groups, including through Industry Skills Council membership or other methods of engagement; 
• effective support mechanisms for registered training organisations seeking to deliver and customise Training Packages; and
• strong links with the National Quality Council.

DEST will take on responsibility for developing Industry Skills Reports, as it is well placed to draw together the underpinning data and analysis from DEST, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the industry portfolio, and National Centre for Vocational Education Research.  In finalising the Reports, DEST will engage with both Industry Skills Councils and the National Industry Skills Committee to draw in their qualitative analysis.  This reflects the importance of the Industry Skills Reports both in informing the high-level, evidence-based advice the National Industry Skills Committee will be giving on workforce planning and future training priorities, and in driving the activities of Industry Skills Councils and the development and review of Training Packages.

The role of Industry Skills Councils in distributing Training Packages and other support material will be considered during the establishment of the new Ministerial company that will have responsibility for acquisition and licensing arrangements for training materials.

After a record turnout in 2004, Australian Training Products (ATP) has announced its 2005 series of professional development sessions.

These practical, hands-on, interactive workshops will assist trainers, assessors and administrators in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide find, adapt and produce Vocational Education and Training (VET) resources. Further information and online registration is available at http://www.atpl.net.au/   

Topics include:

• The ‘How To’ of Learning Resources – Designing and Developing Learning Resources: Covering much of TAADES502A, a new unit of TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package, this one-day workshop incorporates practical exercises using research of available materials, reviewing appropriate design, creation and modification of sample materials applicable across a number of Training Packages. There will be an opportunity for participants to work towards obtaining a statement of attainment from a registered training provider.
• The ‘How To’ of e-Learning Resources – Designing and Developing e-Learning Resources: One day workshop covering TAADES503A, a new unit in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package. As with the above, there includes the opportunity for participants to commence gathering of evidence for assessment to obtain a statement of attainment from a registered training provider.
• Getting Your Materials Published by ATP: FREE session for content developers to find out how to get their materials out to a national audience. 
• Finding & Customising Support Materials: Where do I find it and what can I do with it? Specifically targeted at VET teachers, trainers, assessors and coordinators, this workshop focuses on how to find and adapt a wide range of materials and Flexible Learning Toolboxes available nationally.
• Librarians, Finding Materials for your Staff: A special program for librarians and coordinators who are responsible for seeking out and ordering support materials for staff. Participants will be shown a wide range of resources (including free materials) from a myriad of sources. Information such as copyright, maintenance and updating possibilities and ANTA's quality assurance systems for support materials will be demonstrated and applied.
• Developing Assessment Tools: A one-day mix of information, advice and hands-on activities that take participants through the process of developing their own assessment tools. Developing Assessment Tools is based on the new TAAASS403A Develop Assessment Tools unit in the TAA04 Training Package and draws on a range of examples from different Training Package support materials.

To find out more:

Australian Training Products
Level 25, 150 Lonsdale Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: +61  3 9655 0600 Fax: +61 3 9639 4684
Email: workshops@atpl.net.au Web: http://www.atpl.net.au/    

In June 2000, Ministers agreed to Partners in a Learning Culture and its Blueprint for implementation, Australia’s first national strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in VET 2000 – 2005.

In October 2000, the ANTA Board established the Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council (AITAC). Part of its role is to monitor and evaluate the implementation of Partners in a Learning Culture – the national strategy for Indigenous Australians in vocational education and training (VET). To download copies of Partners in a Learning Culture visit: www.anta.gov.au/dapaitac.asp    

Mid-term review of the Blueprint for Implementation — what’s worked, what hasn’t

A mid-term review of the Blueprint for Implementation of Partners in a Learning Culture was released in late 2004. It highlighted that Indigenous Australians are turning to VET in increasing numbers but their completion and employment rates are still poor compared to non-Indigenous Australians. 

The review found getting Indigenous Australians to complete higher levels of learning and into meaningful work were two of the major challenges for Australian VET agencies.

On a positive note, the review found good results were achieved when Indigenous people were involved in the planning and delivery of training. Copies of the mid-term review are available for download on www.anta.gov.au/dapaitac.asp    

Nine out of ten Indigenous Australians who have undergone recent training report increased confidence because they can communicate better with people and feel better about themselves generally.

The findings – released this month by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) for the Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council (AITAC) – indicate the real benefits of vocational education and training (VET) as reported by Indigenous Australians across the length and breadth of the country.

This groundbreaking survey is the first of Indigenous VET learners on a national scale and seeks to find out more about Indigenous people’s training experiences with the aim of improving training and its associated employment and social benefits.

Other benefits reported included becoming more involved in the local community (72%) and gaining employment or a better/different job (62%).

AITAC co-Chair Bill Wilson says these initial findings have begun answering some important questions about the value of vocational education and training within Indigenous communities and the motivations for training in the first place.

“Being ‘work-ready’ is not just about having skills – it’s about believing in your own ability to use them competently. Some personal benefits gained from training led to the following comments:

“…didn’t feel like a failure anymore…”

 “…rather look for jobs instead of grog.”

“Indigenous Australians are turning to VET in increasing numbers in order to skill up for the workforce – a vital trend given that Australia is currently facing the worst skills shortage in forty years,” Wilson said.

“The good news is that in addition to practical skills and information, VET gives Indigenous people vital confidence and communication skills which will make them more valuable employees.

“For example, of those who participated in this survey, 90% agreed the training had improved their skills for the workplace and 76% better understood how businesses and workplaces run.

“These results are encouraging both for Indigenous VET learners and their future employers.”

NCVER conducted the survey among 457 Indigenous people in Australian major cities, outer regional locations and remote areas.

A comprehensive report on the results will be released in August 2005. For further information about the survey, including links to related publications and Indigenous Australians in vocational education and training: National research strategy for 2003-2005, visit www.ncver.edu.au/students/31008.html    

In May this year 25 young Australians will board a plane bound for Helsinki, Finland to face their biggest career challenge to date.

Team Australia consists of 25 exceptional young skill and trade champions and 21 highly respected industry experts.

The International Competition will see over 800 young skill and trade professionals from 40 countries converge on Helsinki to compete to be the best in the world. It is anticipated that over 200,000 visitors will attend the competition and watch the world’s best young "tradies" battle for gold.

In categories ranging from hairdressing, to welding to MTC (Manufacturing Teams Challenge), Australia will compete against nations such as China, USA, South Africa, UK, Korea and Japan.

The International Competition is not only a unique opportunity for our national champions to gather with their international peers to test themselves against demanding international standards but also gives Australian government and Australian industry the opportunity to benchmark the skill level in Australia on a global stage.

WorldSkills Australia is supported by Federal and State Governments, TAFE institutions and colleges across the nation and leading industry bodies. WorldSkills Australia will head to Helsinki to proudly showcase the high level of vocational education and training currently available to the young people within our nation.

In addition to the International Competition WorldSkills Australia will be leading a high level Australian Education and Industry Delegation. It will host two booths within the International Global Village with the primary objective of highlighting Australia’s vocational education and training system.

It wishes all competitors the best of luck and knows that the high level of education and training currently available within the VET sector in Australia will shine though.

WorldSkills Australia would also like to offer our sincere thanks to the vast network of support that WorldSkills Australia and Team Australia have received in the lead up to this amazing event.